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Sun-free photovoltaics

Sun-free photovoltaics is a photovoltaics technology which does not require sunlight to produce electricity. This technique was developed by research team at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Photovoltaic cells convert light to electricity most efficiently at specific wavelengths. The surface features of Sun-free photovoltaics is engineered such that it converts heat energy into the specific wavelengths. This increases the efficiency of existing thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems.

Principle of working

The surface of this material is etched with billions of nanoscale pits, so that it emits wave at the specified wavelengths The atoms liberates free electrons when radiation is applied, thus generating electricity.

Development

A device that uses radioisotopes is capable of producing electricity for up to 30 years without interruption using a process called radioactive decay.

In Sun-free photovoltaics, the thermal emitter described above is finely tuned to emit specific wavelengths that the photovoltaic diode can utilize, while at the same time stopping the wavelengths that cannot be used by the diode. This is achieved by etching features of nanoscale like ridges and holes on a photonic crystal so that the light passing through the crystal can be modified.

Operation

A slab of tungsten is used as a thermal emitter with billions of nanoscale pits on the surface, with each pit acting like a resonator. On heating, specific wavelengths are radiated by the slab as it generates an altered emission spectrum.

Applications

Sun-free photovoltaics can be applied in electronic devices like smartphones. Its value of current density has the capability to be tripled in the coming years, when it could power a smartphone for more than 20 days without needing to recharge in between. It can also be used to utilize waste heat from electric appliances like televisions and electronic appliances like mobile phones.

References

References

  1. (28 July 2011). "Sun-free photovoltaics - Materials engineered to give off precisely tuned wavelengths of light when heated are key to new high-efficiency genserating system.". [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]].
  2. "PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICITY GENERATION WITHOUT SUNLIGHT". Electronics News.
  3. "Sun-Free Photovoltaics: Materials Engineered to Give Off Precisely Tuned Wavelengths of Light When Heated". sciencedaily.com.
  4. "Sun-free photovoltaics". nanowerk.com.
  5. "Sun-free photovoltaics". physorg.com.
  6. (2 August 2011). "MIT reports breakthrough in heat-based photovoltaics". gizmag.com.
  7. ""Sun-Free" Photovoltaics!". crazyengineers.com.
  8. (2 August 2011}}{{dead link). "Solar cells need no sun, just heat to create energy - Promising new technology can turn nearly anything hot into a power source". [[MSN]].
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